MP3: Download Neil Young’s Secret Cali Gig from April 16

Whoah – this came outta nowhere. Neil Young did a secret gig last week at the SLO Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo, and an enterprising taper was on hand at the crammed club. Backed by Lukas Nelson (Willie’s kid) and his band, Young debuted a number of new songs, presumably targeted for his next album, along with some old faves. See the setlist below.

Todd and Korie Newman of Good Medicine Presents dropped a super secret show on SLO Town last night – Thursday, April 16 – when they welcomed Neil Young to SLO Brew. Young, backed by Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson and his band Promise of the Real, delivered two sets of environmentally focused and socially conscious rock to a sellout crowd that quickly lined up around the block as news of the last-minute concert spread by word of mouth. Those who couldn’t get in gathered in the alleyway to listen to Young through the side door, and what they heard was Young rail against his pet causes, from corporations to GMO manufacturers. Monsanto basically got punched in the face by Young’s songs.

What’s amazing is no one seemed to know about the concert until the very last minute. “Until this afternoon, we weren’t sure if Lukas was bringing his dad Willie or Neil Young,” Good Medicine Presents’ Korie Newman said. “Lukas was going to make the show free but decided at the last minute we should charge something.” Tickets for the lucky 350 or so fans who got in cost just $10 at the door.

Young wore his trademark fedora and delivered incredible guitar work and his signature vocal sound. Fans packed around the stage, and even trying to get through to the bathrooms proved a struggle, but the crowd was friendly and frankly blown away at what they were witnessing. Lukas Nelson and his band were tapped to work with Young on his new album and tour, and their recent touring has honed them into a tight band.

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